Did You Know...

... that XL comes back to the World Challenge 2014 with the strongest lineup?

Busiest 2014 Spring Tour schedule: Aerodyne French Girls

posted Mar 11th, 2014 -
The first two major events of the 2014 season are over, and the next one is coming up soon, the World Challenge 2014.

Four teams are completing this year's 4way Spring Tour between the USA and the United Kingdom (Paraclete XP Indoor and Outdoor, World Challenge) at Bodyflight Bedford at the beginning of April: NMP-PCH Hayabusa, Volt'R, VAF Warriors and Aerodyne French Girls. Fire and Voodoo attended only the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship 2014 before traveling to Bedford very soon.

The World Challenge 2014 will even be the 4th competition this year for Aerodyne French Girls, who also attended the Wind Games 2014 in January. NMP-PCH Hayabusa would have matched the French meet agenda without Roy Janssen's untimely sickness. The itinerary is still the same, as the Belgian team was present in DeLand, and Dennis Praet was even competing by filling a slot for Dubai Asaar Black in several meet rounds.

The field of teams for the World Challenge 2014 has grown to 74 since the last update, and the previous record participation of 2013 is once again in jeopardy. XL has finally registered with three members of the 2003 lineup (Pete Allum, Steve Hamilton, Thomas Hughes), and Brian Johnson is filling the 4th slot again this year.

Thomas Hughes is available since Arizona Airspeed is not making the trip to Bedford. The third showdown between the world's two top contenders did not materialize in DeLand after the two indoor victories for NMP-PCH Hayabusa in Empuriabrava and Raeford, and this year's World Challenge title and cash will also go to Belgium for the 4th consecutive time.

The XL lineup is the same as it was in 2008 and 2010, which is not the greatest news for any other teams looking at the cash positions (1st place: £5000 - 2nd place: £3000 - 3rd place: £2000 - 4th place: £1000). It's the strongest XL lineup of all the different ones over the years.

Pete Allum, Steve Hamilton, Thomas Hughes and Brian Johnson placed 2nd in 2008 with a 28.1 average, only two points behind the 1st place. A different XL lineup placed 4th a year later, and the 2008 lineup came back for the World Challenge 2010 with a 30.4 average, this time only one single point behind the 1st place.

It is a very strong field every year at Bodyflight Bedford, and the 2014 event will not be any easier. XL member Steve Hamilton said in DeLand that it is becoming more difficult every year to stay at the top, as all teams develop better skills with indoor training at the ever growing number of wind tunnels all over the world. He was coaching the Swedish national team in the female 4way category, Fire.

However, all XL needs is a little bit of tunnel time together to warm up. The 30+ average is obviously no magic for XL, and it probably guarantees a slot in the TOP 4.

The 1st place is out of reach for any team, including XL, as NMP-PCH Hayabusa will be in Bedford. The toughest opponents for XL will be the new French 4way lineup, Volt'R, and Gavroches Maubeuge, also from France. Gavroches just delivered a 29.2 average at the Aerokart Indoor Championship 2014 after a 27.0 at last year's World Challenge in Bedford.

Voodoo, South Africa's former national 4way team, had also planned to attend the Paraclete XP double header, with player coach Gary Smith in the lineup. Voodoo missed the indoor meet when one team member did not make it in time to Raeford.

The 19.0 average in DeLand was the highest South African meet average after the 19.3 bronze medal average at the World Meet 1997. Voodoo's highest indoor average was the 19.9 at the World Challenge 2013. The 20-average mark will fall with Gary Smith in the lineup this year in Bedford.